ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infections occur worldwide, the epidemiology is remarkably different in tropical and temperate climates. VZV infections result in significant morbidity and mortality among adults in Sri Lanka. AIMS: For future VZV vaccination strategies, we set to determine the age-specific seroprevalence rate of VZV infections in Colombo, Sri Lanka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out from 1999 to 2000. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to collect 913 blood samples, which were tested for the presence of VZV-specific IgG antibodies. RESULTS: VZV seroprevalence rates were markedly lower in all age groups when compared to temperate climates. The seroprevalence rates increased with age in both the rural and urban populations. Of those aged 60 years, only 50% in the rural population and 78.9% in the urban population were immune to VZV. Seroprevalence rates of VZV infections were significantly different between the urban and rural populations (P< 0.001), with VZV-specific IgG antibodies detected in 47.5% in the urban population and 27.9% in the rural population. It was found that 56.2% (131) of females of childbearing age were nonimmune to VZV. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for a VZV vaccination program, which is likely to have a huge impact on the incidence of chickenpox and its associated morbidity and mortality.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chickenpox/epidemiology , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Herpesvirus 3, Human/pathogenicity , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Rural Population , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Sri Lanka/epidemiology , Tropical Climate , Urban Population , VaccinationABSTRACT
A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and to identify some socio-demographic factors associated with wife beating in the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area of Kantale in the Trincomalee district of eastern Sri Lanka. A random sample of 417 women in the age category 18-49 years constituted the sample population. Data were obtained by focus group discussions followed by the administration of a structured questionnaire by trained interviewers. The prevalence of reported wife beating among ever-married women was 30% and the prevalence of wife beating in the year preceding the study was 22%. There was no significant association between wife beating and ethnicity of the study population or a particular age group of either the batterer or the victim. Moreover, wife beating was associated with an early age at marriage for women, low-income, a low standard of living index, large families and alcohol consumption by the batterer. A significant inverse relationship between domestic violence and the level of education of both the batterer and the victim was also identified. Contusions, typically distributed in the region of the head, face and neck were found to be the commonest type of injury suffered by battered women. A majority of women, irrespective of their level of education and employment status placed the welfare of their children as the prime reason for continuing to stay in an abusive relationship. The study concludes that wife beating is a serious health and social problem for the women population of Kantale. Intervention is recommended in relation to key issues identified by the study, including alcohol abuse by men, relative lack of education among the population, lack of family planning, societal influences promoting teenage marriages of the girl-child and absence of programs aimed at creating awareness on wife beating.
Subject(s)
Adult , Battered Women/statistics & numerical data , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cultural Characteristics , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Surveys and Questionnaires , Risk Factors , Social Class , Spouse Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Sri Lanka/epidemiologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Sri Lanka the only available measures of disease frequency related to skin disorders are from hospital-based clinic studies. They reflect only the patterns of clinic attendance, and the actual prevalence of skin diseases in the community is unknown. The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of skin diseases in a selected area. METHODS: A household survey based on health interviews and clinical examination was conducted over a period of 4 months. 418 households were selected for modified cluster sampling from predetermined areas in Piliyandala. RESULTS: There were 1806 people residing in the 418 households surveyed. 894 cases were identified, of which 34 people could not be traced for clinical examination. 33 households did not have anyone with a skin lesion. The prevalence of skin disease was 47.6%. Fungal infections, followed by dermatitis, were found to be the commonest problems. There was only one case of leprosy. Psoriasis was found to be of low prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of skin disease was high in the community that we surveyed. There were marked differences between community prevalence and hospital dermatology clinic attendance data for a number of skin diseases.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Skin Diseases/epidemiology , Sri Lanka/epidemiology , Suburban PopulationABSTRACT
Nine hundred and seventy six children who had been given BCG vaccine previously were examined for the presence of a scar. It was found that 13.9% of them did not have a scar. The absence of a scar was more among those who were given BCG immediately after delivery.